Prague Offensive — Romanian Armies(1945)
Background
By the beginning of May 1945, Germany had been decisively defeated by the coalition of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. Germany's capital, Berlin, was on the verge of capitulation in the face of a massive Soviet attack and the great bulk of Germany had been conquered. However, in southeastern Germany, parts of Austria and Czechoslovakia, there were still large bodies of active German troops of Army Group Centre and the remnants of Army Group Ostmark. On 2 May 1945, Generaloberst Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff of Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, ordered the German forces to avoid being captured by Russia and facilitate separate negotiation with Western Allies. The German remnant forces continued to resist the USSR 4th and 1st Ukrainian Fronts while only accepting an armistice on the Western Front. The Nazi regime considered Czechoslovakia and neighboring areas as their last bastion in the event that Berlin fell. Therefore, in 1945 they concentrated many powerful military units in the region, including elements of 6th SS Panzer Army, 1st and 4th Panzer Armies, and 7th, 8th and 17th Combined Armies.
Campaign: Romanian Advance West 1944-45
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Romanian 1st and 4th Armies participated in the final major European operation. The war ended May 12 near Šternberk.
The Prague offensive was the last major military operation of World War II in Europe. The offensive was fought on the Eastern Front from 6 May to 11 May 1945. Fought concurrently with the Prague uprising, the offensive significantly helped the liberation of Czechoslovakia in 1945. The offensive was one of the last engagements of World War II in Europe and continued after Nazi Germany's unconditional capitulation on 8/9 May.
Casualties & Outcome
~1,500 killed, ~500 wounded (Soviet/Romanian after May 8); ~860,000 captured (German Army Group Centre)
Romania / Soviet Union achieved victory over Germany (Army Group Centre).
upright|To honor the participants of the operation, the Soviet Union instituted the Medal "For the Liberation of Prague". The Prague Offensive destroyed Army Group Centre and parts of Army Group Ostmark. These army groups were the last large intact military formations of Germany, and following the offensive, all surviving German soldiers became prisoners of war or fugitives. The number of German prisoners taken by the Soviet Union reached almost 900,000 and other Axis soldiers, numbering at least in the tens of thousands, surrendered to U.S. forces in western Czechoslovakia and Austria, although numbers of these were later turned over to the Soviet Union. Czechoslovakia was free of the German occupation regime for the first time since late 1938. The country's prewar borders, however, would not be completely restored as the Soviets engineered the cession of Carpathian Ruthenia to the USSR in July 1945.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Last engagement of Romanian forces in WWII — V-E Day found them in Czechoslovakia.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Prague Offensive — Romanian Armies?
- The Prague Offensive — Romanian Armies took place in 1945. May 6–11, 1945.
- Who won the Prague Offensive — Romanian Armies?
- The Romania / Soviet Union were victorious against the Germany (Army Group Centre).
- What was the significance of the Prague Offensive — Romanian Armies?
- Last engagement of Romanian forces in WWII — V-E Day found them in Czechoslovakia.